Electrical starting system for



Oct. 19, 1937. H. F. MITCHELL 2,096,378

ELECTRICAL STARTING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed July 25, 1936 PatentedOct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES ELECTRICAL STARTING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOBILESHarry Floyd Mitchell, Salem, Ohio Application July 25,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the starting mechanism of internal combustionengines and particularly to a starting switch and the circuits therefor.

Nearly all internal combustion engines used for driving automobiles usea six-volt starting system which, in weather below zero, as forinstance, ten degrees below zero, does not work very well. A twelve-voltstarting battery, however, will operate properly even at ten degreesbelow zero.

With these facts in view, my invention has for its main object toovercome the above mentioned defect and to this end, I have devised anelecr trlcal starting and ignition apparatus that is equipped witheither a special twelve-volt battery with four posts (two negatives andtwo positives) or two six-volt batteries.

A further object is to provide means whereby the two batteries may beconnected up in parallel with a generator and with the starting motor orthe ignition mechanism or whereby the two batteries may be connected inseries with the starting motor or the ignition system.

A further object is to provide a switch for this purpose which, afterits actuation for the pur-- pose of starting the motor, will return toits charging position where both batteries are charged in parallel. Withthis mechanism, an internal combustion engine may be started veryquickly even in the coldest weather, thus saving gas and not runningdown the battery.

My invention is applicable to various types of internal combustionengines, and I do not wish to be restricted to the use of any one type.I

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of my switch whenthe batteries are being charged from the generator;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the switch showing the switch thrownto a starting position with the batteries in parallel;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the switch whenboth batteries are connected up in series with the starting motor andwith the ignition system;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the switch showing means whereby it maybe held in its normal position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4, it will be seen that the switch includes ashaft I0. Mounted upon this shaft for rotation therearound is a disk II,this disk having an outwardly project- 65 ing lug 12, as shown in Figure4. Surrounding 1936, Serial No. 92,624

the disk is a fixed ring I 3 having an outwardly projecting lug l4, andextending between this lug l4 and the lug I2 is a compression spring l5surrounding a guide Hi. It will be obvious now that when the disk II inFigure 4 is turned in a counterclockwise direction that the spring willbe compressed and that as soon as the disk is released, it will returnto its normal position, which is that shown in Figure 1. I

The disk II is provided adjacent its periphery with a, relatively longarcuate sector or contact strip H which extends through an are slightlygreater than 180. The remainder of the perimeter of the switch isprovided with a series of contact plates or segments I9, 20 and 22,separated from each other by insulation l8, 2|, 23 and 24. A wire 25connects the contact 22 with the contact l9. To the contact 20 isconnected a ground 26. Coacting with this switch are four brushes 21,28, 29 and 30. The brush'3fl is con-- nected by the wire 3| to the motorof the starter designated M, the other side of the motor being connectedto a ground 32. From the brush 21, a conductor 33 extends to thepositive post 34 of a battery 35, which is supposed to be a sixvoltbattery. From the negative post of this battery a conductor 36 extendsto the brush 29. The other six-volt battery 31 has its positive poleconnected by the conductor 38 to the brush 28, while the negative poleof this battery is connected to a ground 39. The distributor for theignition system is designated 40 in the diagram of Figure 1. This isconnected by a wire 4| to a switch 42. may be shifted to engage eitherthe post 43 or the post 44. The post 43 is connected by a con-' ductor45 to the wire 33 and through this wire to the brush 21. The post 44 isconnected by the conductor 52 to the cut-out and generator 48, whoseother side is grounded. A wire 46 leads from the generator and cut-out48 to the brush 28. The headlights 49 are connected in parallel to aconductor 50 and by a switch 5| this conductor may be connected to theconductor 52- which connects with the conductor 46 and thus is connectedto the brush 28.

In the position of the parts shown in Figure l, the switch II is in itscharging position. Assuming that the switch 42 is thrown to the contact44, the generator discharges through wire 52 to the wire 4| and thenceto the-distributor 40. The generator also discharges through the wire 46to the conductor 38, thence to the positive pole of the battery 31,thence to the negative pole and the ground 39. The generator alsodischarges This is a double throw switch and from the brush 28 connectedto the conductor 46, to the metallic sector I! and from thence to thebrush 21, from this contact by wire 33 to the positive pole of thebattery 34, and thence from the negative pole 36 by wire to the brush 26and thence to the ground 26. Thus the generator in the position of theparts shown in Figure 1, but with the switch 42 thrown to 44, will becharging both batteries and also delivering current tov the ignitionmechanism. If the switch 42 be thrown to the contact 43, the same resultwill occur, that the generator will discharge through the conductor 46to the contact 28, thence to the brush 2?, and the current will pass byway of conductor 45 to the switch 42 and thence to the ignition.

In Figure 2, I, have shown the position of the switch when starting. Itwill be seen that the switch has been given a one-step counterclockwisemovement from the position shown in Fig. 1. This will electricallyconnect the brush 30 with the metallic sector H. The battery currentfrom battery 35 will pass from the brush 21 to the sector-shaped contactI! and thence to the brush 30 and to the starting motor M. At the sametime, current will pass from the strip IT to the brush 28 and thus tothe ignition system. The battery current will pass from the battery 31by wire 38 to the brush 28, thence to the strip il and thence by way ofbrush 30 and conductor 3! to the motor so that both batteries will be inparallel with the motor.

In Figure 3, I have illustrated the position of the switch when it isdesired to use both batteries in series and thus get twelve volts ofcurrent to actuate the starting mechanism. In this case, the switch isturned still further in a counterclockwise direction so that the brush28 is disposed to engage the contact plate l9 which is connected by thewire 25 with the contact plate 22. In this position of the switch, thiscontact plate 22 is engaged with the brush 29. Under thesecircumstances, the current from battery 35 will pass to brush 2?, thenceto the strip H and thence to the starting motor M. The current from thebattery 31 will pass by way of the conductor 38 to brush 28, thence toplate is, thence by wire 25 to plate 22, thence to the brush 29,

, and 3'! as if they were two separate batteries, it

is to be understood that one single battery may be used divided into twosections which will in efiect be two batteries, and that by my mechanismboth of the sectionsmay be used where onlyone section may be used bydisconnecting the wire 33 or 36 or both, which allows only the batterysection 3? to be used. Of course, switchesmay be disposed in these wires33 and 36 for the purpose of securing this disconnection. By the samemeans which I have described, either the full power of the doublebattery or only one of these battery sections may be used for ignitionpurposes. By my mechanism, I provide means whereby under normalcircumstances and under ordinary temperatures and with the wires 33 and36 disconnected, the starting motor may be driven by one six-voltbattery, but that under extraordinary circumstances such as the loweringof either in series or parallel may be applied to the starting motor.Not only do I secure this advantage by my construction, but I secure thefurther advantage that in case one battery gives out, the other batterymay be thrown in and utilized. Thus'if battery 35 has been previouslydisconnected and if battery 3'! runs down, the battery 35 may beconnected in circuit with the starting motor.

While I have shown a hand-operated switch, I do not wish to be limitedto this as it is obvious that the switch H might be operated by a footpedal and secure the result desired. The switch II is a starting switchwhich takes the place of the ordinary foot-operated starting switchcommon in motor cars for connecting the battery with the starting motor.

It will be seen that with my construction, the ignition coil can beoperated on a twelve-volt current, if desired or necessary, and that thestarting motor may be operated either with the batteries 35 and 31connected in parallel or in series and thus more battery capacity can beutilized to provide more ampere hours for operating the lights and otherelectrically actuated mechanism. Connecting the batteries in parallel tothe starting motor does not cause the starting motor to pull much morethan it would do under the action of one battery, but when the batteriesare connected in series, they will cause the starting motor to pullseveral times as much as when the battery is in parallel. With mystructure both batteries are charged simultaneously.

It will be seen that not only-do I have by my system a reserve batterywhich may be thrown in to assist the first battery under abnormalcircumstances for either ignition or starting the motor, but that incase one battery runs down so that it does not secure enough power, thesecond battery may be utilized.

While I have shown a particular form oi switch which is thoroughlyefiective for the purpose intended, I do not wish to be limited to theindividual type of switch shown as this switch could be made in a numberof ways without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a starting system for internal combustion engines, the systemincluding a starting motor, a generator and two batteries; operablemeans shiftable into a position electrically connecting the generatorwith both batteries or into a position connecting both of said batteriesin parallel with the starting motor or into a position connecting bothof said batteries in series with each other and the starting motor.

2. In a starting system for internal combustion engines, the systemincluding a starting motor, a generator and two batteries; a singlemanually operable means shiftable into a position electricallyconnecting the generator with both batteries and disconnecting bothbatteries from the starting motor or into a position connecting thegenerator with both batteries and connecting both of said batteries inparallel with the starting motor or into a position connecting twobatteries; a manually operable switch in its normal positionelectrically connecting the generator with both batteries butelectrically disconnecting the starting motor from the batteries, theswitch being shiftable into a position electrically' connecting both ofsaid batteries in parallel with the starting motor or shiftable into aposition electrically connecting both of said batteries in series witheach other and the starting motor.

4. In an electrical ignition and starting system for automobiles, thesystem including a generator, a starting motor and an ignition system;two batteries and a single manually operable switch, in its normalposition electrically connecting the generator in circuit with both ofsaid batteries but disconnecting the starting motor from the batteriesand electrically connecting the generator in circuit with the ignitionsystem; in another position electrically connecting both batteries inparallel with the starting motor and with the ignition system and inanother position electrically connectingboth batteries in series circuitwith the starting motor and the ignition system.

5. In an electrical ignition and starting system for automobiles, thissystem including a generator, a starting motor and an ignition means,two batteries'and a single manually operable rotatable switch, theswitch having a relatively long contact strip concentric to the centerof rotation of the switch, two contacts separated from the ends of thefirst-named strip by insulation but electrically connected to eachother, an intermediate contact connected to a ground but insulated fromthe last-named contacts, a brush electrically connected to a pole of onebattery, a second brush disposed at right angles to the firstnamed brushand electrically connected to the starting motor, a third brush disposedopposite the first-named brush and electrically connected to the otherpole of the same battery, a fourth brush disposed opposite tothesecondnamed brush and electrically connected to the generator and toone pole of the other battery, the other pole of this battery beinggrounded, and means urging the switch to a position where the first andfourth brushes are in engagement with the relatively long contact, thesecond brush engaging insulation and the third brush engaging thegrounded contact, the switch being movable to a position where thefirst, second and fourth brushes are in engagement with the relativelylong strip and the third brush is in engagement with the groundedcontact, the switch being further movable into a position where thefirst and second-named brushes are in engagement with the long strip andthe third and fourth-named brushes are electrically connected to eachother.

6. In a system of the character described, a

generator, 9. starting motor, an ignition system, two batteries and fourbrushes arranged in a quartering relation, one of said brushes beingelectrically connected with one pole of one battery, the second brushbeing electrically connected to the starting motor, the fourth brushbeing electrically connected to the generator and one pole of the otherbattery, the other pole of this battery being grounded and a third brushbeing electrically connected with the other pole of the first-namedbattery,- a rotatable switch with which the brushes coact, the switchhaving a relatively long arcuate contact strip of such length as to inone position electrically connect the first, second and fourth namedbrushes with each other, two contacts insulated from the ends of thelong contact strip and electrically connected to each other, and anintermediate contact insulated from the last-named contacts andconnected to a ground, the switch in its normal position electricallyconnecting the first and fourth named brushes and electricallyconnecting the grounded contact with the third named brush; in anotherposition electrically connecting the first, second and fourth namedbrushes and electrically connecting the third named brush with thegrounded contact; said switch in another position electricallyconnecting the first and second brushes with each other and electricallyconnecting 'the third and fourth brushes with each other.

HARRY FLOYD MITCHELL.

